A family physician looks after the whole person, not just an individual illness. Let me share two experiences from my practice that help explain this.
About 15 years ago, I saw a middle-aged lady who complained of back pain. After examining her, I sent her for an X-ray of her spine. This showed what we call a wedge fracture in one of the backbones. It made me wonder what might have caused the fracture.
When I saw her again, she was also experiencing bleeding from her back passage. This made me think she could have bowel cancer, so I referred her to a bowel specialist. After further investigations, they found no evidence of cancer.
She was referred back to me, but I still had the task of finding out what had caused the fracture. I continued investigating and requested further tests, including a chest X-ray, which revealed lung cancer.
The bowel specialists had investigated the possibility of bowel cancer, but the question of what caused the fracture remained. Someone still needed to keep sight of the wider clinical picture and follow up on the unanswered question. That’s where the family physician comes in.
The second experience involved a gentleman who had prostate cancer. He was being seen by specialists and receiving the care he needed.
When I saw him for a review, I asked him a question that brought tears to his eyes. He told me that none of the clinicians had asked him about his erections or sex life.
He still wanted to have sex with his wife, but was having difficulty getting an erection. I was able to help him with this. Both he and his wife were very grateful.
It’s not all about cancer, though. The family physician looks after the whole family, from the father and mother to the children and grandparents.
We offer lifestyle advice and promote preventive medicine. We manage chronic conditions. We also recommend and carry out routine health checks, which can help identify medical conditions early.
We involve other specialists when needed, while continuing to look after the patient’s wider health needs.
At Priscilla Specialist Hospital, our family physicians work within a multi-specialty environment, helping you access coordinated care within the same facility.
We listen. We care.
Come to us at Priscilla for a lasting health partnership built on understanding and quality care.
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